Period Tracker Apps and Fertility Tracker Apps

Keeping track of your period seems simple enough. Sometimes though, keeping track of your period can be anything but simple. Smart phone and tablet apps (for iOS and Android) can make it easy for women

Period Diary Pro

to track their period and fertility. They can help predict your cycles and monitor your mood, symptoms, weight, and temperature

Tracker apps enable women to record their periods, see their peak fertile days, track intimate moments, record PMS symptoms and record notes pertaining to their health. Some apps have period and ovulation predictors and maintain a record of dates of most recent cycles – very handy when the nurse or doctor asks when your last period began. Other apps enable women to connect with other women around the world. Period and fertility tracker apps may not be foolproof but they certainly help women to be more knowledgeable about their monthly cycles and their bodies.

Who can benefit from period/fertility tracker apps?

ALL women that experience a menstrual period. Young women new to menstruating can track their cycles and start to see trends. Women using the natural family planning method can record temperature readings and see exactly when their fertile window may begin and end. Women in peri-menopause can track their sporadic periods. Period and fertility tracker apps can help if you want to get pregnant or if you do not want to become pregnant right now. Find the app that works best for you and fits in your budget.

Period Tracker Apps

Many period tracker apps are available at no cost to the user. Versions without ads that may offer additional functionality range from $0.99 to $3.99. The most common period tracker apps include: Clue, Period Tracker, and Life – Period Tracker. Other common period tracker apps are: Cycles, Eve, Menstrual Period Tracker, Monthly Cycles, My Calendar, Period Calendar, Period Diary, Pink Pad, and more.

Fertility Tracker Apps

Apps specific to fertility tracking tend to be more expensive than period tracker apps. Some are touted as fertility monitors that have attachments and high tech readings. Fees range from $0 to $375. Some have monthly rate plans. The most common period tracker apps include: Fertility Friend, Glow, and Kindara. Other common fertility apps are: Clue, Conceivable, Daysy, Maybe Baby, Natural Cycles, OvaCue, Ovia, Period Tracker, and more.

Questions About Your Period?

Period and fertility tracker apps can be a wonderful tool to help you. If you have questions about your menstrual cycle or would like to talk one-on-one with a nurse, click here. You can also schedule an appointment at one of our medical clinics in Oakland, Redwood City or San Francisco.

Combination Pill – Emergency Contraceptive

What is the Combination Pill emergency contraceptive?

Combination Pill Emergency Contraceptive

The “Morning After Pill” is a common name for the most popular type of emergency contraceptive. Emergency contraceptives or emergency birth control (EC) is used to reduce the chance of a woman getting pregnant after she has had sex without using birth control, during the fertile days while using natural family planning, or if the birth control method failed. While some EC methods may be taken as much as 3-5 days after unprotected sex, EC is most effective when taken as soon as possible (i.e. within a few hours).

The Combination Pill (CP) contains a combination of the hormones levonorgestrel (progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (estrogen) found in regular birth control pills. Certain brands of the birth control pill can be used as a CP for emergency contraception. When taken as a back-up oral contraceptive method, CP is to be used as soon as possible, but no more than five days (120 hours), after unprotected sex or contraception failure, to reduce the chance of pregnancy. Emergency contraceptives do not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases.

In California, women of any age are legally able to purchase the Combination Pill at a pharmacy with a pharmacist consultation but without a prescription. However, as of July 2016, many of the larger pharmacies including CVS and Walgreens are not yet ready to begin this new process. Ask your local San Francisco Bay Area pharmacy if they are able to dispense CP without a prescription.

How does the Combination Pill work?

The Combination Pill is actually a number of regular birth control pills that are taken in multiple doses. The number of pills to take at one time and how many times they are to be taken depends on the type or brand of pill you have. Ask (or consult) with your doctor or a pharmacist to see how to use your combination pill for emergency contraception. When used for emergency contraception, Combination Pills are not as effective as progestin only pills such as Plan B One Step or Next Choice One Dose. Combination Pills are safe for almost any woman to use, even women who are not able to take the birth control pill on a regular basis.

The main function of levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol combined is to prevent or delay ovulation (i.e. to stop the egg from releasing), to block fertilization of the egg, or to prevent the egg from attaching (implantation) to the wall of the uterus (womb). The latest scientific research shows that FDA approved ECPs containing levonorgestrel or ulipristal acetate do not inhibit the implantation of a fertilized egg. ECPs stop pregnancy by keeping the egg from leaving the ovary or keeping the sperm from joining the egg. CP will not stop or harm an embryo that has already implanted. If you are already pregnant, emergency contraception will not work. It is not the abortion pill.

The Combination Pill as an emergency contraceptive works before ovulation occurs so if you have unprotected sex after ovulation, taking CP may not stop a pregnancy. If you have unprotected sex in the days or weeks after the use of CP, there is a risk of becoming pregnant.

Is the Combination Pill the same as the birth control pill?

The Combination Pill is the same as the birth control pill. However, it is a common misconception that you can simply double up your birth control pill. The truth is that you need to achieve a certain level of levenorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol to be considered an effective emergency contraceptive. Not all birth control pills can be used as EC. The brands of birth control pills that can be used as emergency contraceptive pills, due to the levels of levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol they contain, include: Altavera, Amethia, Camrese, Enpresse, Introvale, Jolessa, Lessina, Levora, Lutera, Nordette, Ogestrel, Portia, Quasense, Seasonale, Sronyx, Trivora, but there are many more brands. Your doctor can inform you of the exact dosage and at what frequency you will need to take the CP based on the brand and hormone levels in your birth control pill.

Are there side effects of the Combination Pill?

Side effects of the emergency contraceptive pill may include nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain or cramps, breast tenderness, headache, dizziness, and fatigue (tiredness). Your period may be delayed, come sooner, be heavier or lighter than normal. These side effects usually do not occur for more than a few days after taking the medication. If vomiting occurs within one hour of taking the pill, contact your doctor to see if you need to repeat the dose. If your period is more than one week late, you may be pregnant.

Important: If you become pregnant or experience severe abdominal pain and/or bleeding 3-5 weeks after taking the emergency contraceptive pill, you may have an ectopic pregnancy (the egg has implanted outside the uterus). Since ectopic pregnancies may be life threatening, you should seek immediate medical attention.

How do I know if I should be concerned?

You should be concerned about an unintended pregnancy if you had sex and your birth control failed (i.e. condom broke, diaphragm not inserted correctly, during the fertile days while using natural family planning, etc.), if you did not use contraception, or if you missed/forgot to take your birth control pill(s). If you had sex and think that you may be at risk of pregnancy, chat with our nurse online or schedule an appointment at one of our three Bay Area Support Circle clinics in Oakland, Redwood City, or San Francisco. We offer free pregnancy tests and same day appointments.

Support Circle provides information about emergency contraceptives but does not prescribe or dispense these medications.

Ella – Emergency Contraceptive / Morning After Pill

What is Ella?

The “Morning After Pill” is a common name for the most popular type of emergency contraceptive. Emergency contraceptives or emergency birth control (EC) is used to reduce the chance of a woman becoming pregnant after she has had unprotected sex without using birth control, during the fertile days while using natural family planning, or if the birth control method failed. EC is most effective when taken as soon as possible (within a few hours). Emergency contraceptives will not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Ella Emergency Contraceptive

Ella is a single dose emergency contraceptive pill (ECP). It is a back-up oral contraceptive method to be used as soon as possible, but no more than five days after unprotected sex or contraception failure, to reduce the chance of pregnancy. Currently, there is not a generic version for Ella in the United States.

The Ella brand pill requires a visit to a doctor to obtain a prescription. This is true even in California where women of any age are legally able to purchase emergency contraceptive pills at a pharmacy (i.e. CVS, Target, Walgreens, Rite-Aid) with a pharmacist consultation but without a prescription.

How does it work?

Ella contains a drug called ulipristal acetate (ulipristal). Ulipristal works by preventing ovulation (egg does not release) for five full days following unprotected sex. That’s important because sperm can live for five days in a woman’s reproductive tract. Ella’s ability to prevent or delay ovulation does not decrease over the five-day period following when you take it. Most emergency contraceptives are only approved for three-days use.

The latest scientific research shows that FDA approved ECPs containing levonorgestrel or ulipristal acetate do not inhibit the implantation of a fertilized egg. ECPs stop pregnancy by keeping the egg from leaving the ovary or keeping the sperm from joining the egg. Ella will not stop or harm an embryo that has already implanted. If you are already pregnant, it will not work. It is not the abortion pill.

Do not use Ella more than once in a menstrual cycle. Ella works before ovulation occurs so if you have unprotected sex after ovulation, taking Ella may not stop a pregnancy. If you have unprotected sex in the days or weeks after the use of Ella, there is a risk of becoming pregnant.

Are there side effects?

Side effects of Ella may include nausea, abdominal pain or cramps, headache and dizziness. Your period may be delayed, come sooner, be heavier or lighter than normal. If your period is more than one week late, you may be pregnant. You should not use Ella if you are breastfeeding.

Important: If you become pregnant or experience severe abdominal pain and/or bleeding 3-5 weeks after taking the emergency contraceptive pill, you may have an ectopic pregnancy (the egg has implanted outside the uterus). Since ectopic pregnancies may be life threatening, you should seek immediate medical attention.

How do I know if I should be concerned?

You should be concerned about an unintended pregnancy if you had sex and your birth control failed (i.e. condom broke, diaphragm not inserted correctly, during the fertile days while using natural family planning, etc.), if you did not use contraception, or if you missed/forgot to take your birth control pill(s). If you had sex and think that you may be at risk of pregnancy, chat with our nurse online or schedule an appointment at one of our three Bay Area Support Circle clinics in Oakland, Redwood City, and San Francisco. Support Circle offers free pregnancy tests and same day appointments.

The “Morning After Pill” is a common name for the most popular type of emergency contraceptive. Emergency contraceptives or emergency birth control (EC) is used to reduce the chance of a woman getting pregnant after she has had sex without using birth control, during the fertile days while using natural family planning, or if the birth control method failed. While some EC methods may be taken as much as 3-5 days after unprotected sex, EC is most effective when taken as soon as possible (i.e. within a few hours).

Plan B Emergency Contraceptive

There are several brands of emergency contraceptive pills made with a drug named levonorgestrel, including: Fallback Solo, Next Choice, Opcicon, Plan B One Step and other generic brands. Plan B One Step (Plan B) is one of the most commonly recognized brand names.

Plan B is a back-up oral contraceptive method to be used as soon as possible, but no more than three days (72 hours), after unprotected sex or contraception failure, to reduce the chance of pregnancy. Emergency contraceptives do not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases. Plan B and generic emergency contraceptive pills containing progestin only are available over-the-counter without a prescription.

How does it work?

Levonorgestrel is a hormone known as a progestin. Brands such as Plan B contain this hormone at a higher dose than birth control pills. The main function of levonorgestrel is to prevent or delay ovulation (i.e. to stop the egg from releasing), to block fertilization of the egg, or to prevent the egg from attaching (implantation) to the wall of the uterus (womb). The latest scientific research shows that FDA approved ECPs containing levonorgestrel or ulipristal acetate do not inhibit the implantation of a fertilized egg. ECPs stop pregnancy by keeping the egg from leaving the ovary or keeping the sperm from joining the egg. Plan B will not stop or harm an embryo that has already implanted. If you are already pregnant, emergency contraception will not work. It is not the abortion pill.

Plan B can be used more than once during the month. However, it is not an effective regular birth control method to prevent pregnancy because it does not provide lasting protection. Plan B works before ovulation occurs so if you have unprotected sex after ovulation, taking Plan B may not stop a pregnancy. If you have unprotected sex in the days or weeks after the use of Plan B, there is a risk of becoming pregnant.

Are there side effects?

Side effects of the emergency contraceptive pill may include nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain or cramps, breast tenderness, headache, dizziness, and fatigue (tiredness). Your period may be delayed, come sooner, be heavier or lighter than normal. These side effects usually do not occur for more than a few days after taking the medication. If vomiting occurs within two hours of taking the pill, contact your doctor to see if you need to repeat the dose. If your period is more than one week late, you may be pregnant.

Important: If you become pregnant or experience severe abdominal pain and/or bleeding 3-5 weeks after taking the emergency contraceptive pill, you may have an ectopic pregnancy (the egg has implanted outside the uterus). Since ectopic pregnancies may be life threatening, you should seek immediate medical attention.

How do I know if I should be concerned?

You should be concerned about an unintended pregnancy if you had sex and your birth control failed (i.e. condom broke, diaphragm not inserted correctly, during the fertile days while using natural family planning, etc.), if you did not use contraception, or if you missed/forgot to take your birth control pill(s). If you had sex and think that you may be at risk of pregnancy, chat with our nurse online or schedule an appointment at one of our three Bay Area Support Circle clinics in Oakland, Redwood City, and San Francisco. Support Circle offers free pregnancy tests and same day appointments.

Support Circle provides information about but is not a provider of the morning after pill.

The “Morning After Pill” is a common name for the most popular type of emergency contraceptive. Emergency contraception or emergency birth control (EC) is used to reduce the chance of a woman getting pregnant after she has had sex without using birth control, during the fertile days while using natural family planning, or if the birth control method failed. While some EC methods may be taken as much as 3-5 days after unprotected sex, EC is most effective when taken as soon as possible (i.e. within a few hours).

Emergency Contraceptive Pills

There are two types of emergency contraception: emergency contraceptive pills (ECP), also known as the “Morning After Pill,” and the Copper-T intrauterine device (IUD). The IUD is a small, T-shaped device placed into the uterus by a doctor within five days after having unprotected sex. Emergency contraception pills (ECP) may prevent or delay ovulation by blocking fertilization while the IUD works mostly by making the sperm less able to fertilize the egg. Emergency contraceptives will not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

The latest scientific research shows that FDA approved ECPs containing levonorgestrel or ulipristal acetate do not inhibit the implantation of a fertilized egg. Emergency contraception pills (ECPs) stop pregnancy by keeping the egg from leaving the ovary or keeping the sperm from joining the egg. The Morning After Pill will not stop or harm an embryo that has already implanted. If you are already pregnant, ECPs will not work. It is not the abortion pill. Emergency contraceptive pills do not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases.

ECP are available with or without a prescription. The Ella brand pill requires a visit to a doctor to obtain a prescription. Plan B One Step and other generic brands are ECPs that can be purchased at the pharmacy without a prescription.

While some emergency contraception pills can be used more than once during the month, they should not be used as a regular birth control method to prevent pregnancy. ECPs do not provide lasting protection. ECPs work before ovulation occurs so if you have unprotected sex after ovulation, taking ECPs may not stop a pregnancy. If you have unprotected sex in the days or weeks after the use of ECPs, there is a risk of becoming pregnant.

Important: If you become pregnant or experience severe abdominal pain and/or bleeding 3-5 weeks after taking the emergency contraceptive pill, you may have an ectopic pregnancy (the egg has implanted outside the uterus). Since ectopic pregnancies may be life threatening, you should seek immediate medical attention.

How do I know if I should be concerned?

You should be concerned about an unintended pregnancy if you had sex and your birth control failed (i.e. condom broke, diaphragm not inserted correctly, during the fertile days while using natural family planning, etc.), if you did not use contraception, or if you missed/forgot to take your birth control pill(s). If you had sex and think that you may be at risk of pregnancy, chat with our nurse online or schedule an appointment at one of our three Bay Area Support Circle clinics in Oakland, Redwood City, and San Francisco. Support Circle offers free pregnancy tests and same day appointments.

Support Circle provides information about but is not a provider of the morning after pill.

Our organization, benefiting from over 30 years of experience serving Bay Area women and men facing unintended pregnancies, has learned to listen deeply to our clients. We customize our professional services to each unique person and situation, and we remain committed to refining our work so that our clients receive the best care possible. Meet Nancy Cecconi, Support Circle Board Member, and learn more about our circle of care and the services we offer in our Winter 2016 Newsletter.

A miscarriage occurs whenever a pregnancy ends from natural causes before the 20th week of pregnancy. Miscarriages commonly occur in the first few days or weeks in the pregnancy, often before a woman knows she is pregnant.

There are many causes of miscarriages, the most common being a chromosomal abnormality in the fetus. This usually results from a problem with the sperm or egg preventing the fetus from developing properly. If the miscarriage occurs during the second trimester, problems with the uterus or cervix may be a significant factor. After age 40, more than one-third of pregnancies end in miscarriage.

Women suffering multiple and consecutive miscarriages are diagnosed with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), defined as two or more miscarriages in the first trimester or early second trimester.

Symptoms & treatments of miscarriage

Signs of a miscarriage can include:

Vaginal spotting or bleeding

Cramping or abdominal pain

Fluid or tissue passing from the vagina

Although vaginal bleeding is a common symptom when a woman has a miscarriage, many pregnant women have spotting early in their pregnancy but do not miscarry. Pregnant women who have symptoms such as bleeding should contact their health care provider immediately.

In most cases, there is nothing a woman can do to prevent a miscarriage. Women who have miscarriages can and often do conceive again and have healthy pregnancies.

Women who miscarry early in their pregnancy usually do not need any treatment. In some cases, a woman may need a procedure called a dilatation and curettage (D&C) to remove tissue remaining in the uterus. A D&C can be done in a health care provider’s office, an outpatient clinic, or a hospital.

For women suffering recurrent pregnancy loss, underlying factors may be hormonal, metabolic, or uterine related, among other factors. Treatments for recurrent pregnancy loss include aspirin, anticoagulants, hormone therapy, and surgery for uterine abnormalities.

Facing an unintended pregnancy raises many questions in the minds of our clients – medical questions, counseling questions, and how Support Circle offers its services. The overreaching question our clients have is: “Am I really pregnant?” Following this, the staff at Support Circle have compiled a list of the Top Ten Questions asked by clients. Answers are provided by Tanya Smith, Program Manager, in brief video snippets. Today, we post Question #10 of 10: What do I need to bring to the appointment? Check back as we post each new question daily.

Facing an unintended pregnancy raises many questions in the minds of our clients – medical questions, counseling questions, and how Support Circle offers its services. The overreaching question our clients have is: “Am I really pregnant?” Following this, the staff at Support Circle have compiled a list of the Top Ten Questions asked by clients. Answers are provided by Tanya Smith, Program Manager, in brief video snippets. Today, we post Question #9 of 10: Can a counselor meet with me and my partner? Check back as we post each new question daily.

Facing an unintended pregnancy raises many questions in the minds of our clients – medical questions, counseling questions, and how Support Circle offers its services. The overreaching question our clients have is: “Am I really pregnant?” Following this, the staff at Support Circle have compiled a list of the Top Ten Questions asked by clients. Answers are provided by Tanya Smith, Program Manager, in brief video snippets. Today, we post Question #8 of 10: How accurate is the pregnancy test given by Support Circle? Check back as we post each new question daily.